No mandate, no vote: ACT closes Auckland loophole

ACT has won a major victory for local democracy. Today’s Government Amendment Paper closes the Auckland loophole and adopts the final part of my Member’s Bill to end unelected voting rights on council committees,” says ACT Local Government spokesperson Cameron Luxton.

“Ratepayers should be able to vote out every person who votes on how their money is spent. Councils have handed that power to appointees who never asked the public for a mandate.

“In April, I lodged a Bill to stop it. The Government picked up 90 per cent, but Auckland’s Houkura board was left out. ACT pushed for the remaining 10 per cent, and today we got it.

“Houkura representatives can still sit at the table and offer advice. They just won’t get a vote Aucklanders never gave them.

“If you want a vote, win one.

“I thank Simon Watts for taking the reform all the way. Without ACT’s Bill, this democratic loophole would still be open.

“Party Vote ACT to lock Labour out and unlock New Zealand’s potential.”